Plain platters become smart serving dishes, simple tea sets glow with golden damask swirls, and bare plates seem sugar frosted with their dessert design: whether you want to imitate a traditional pattern or go for something completely contemporary and original, you'll be surprised at how swiftly and simply you can transform any ceramic piece with just a little paint and a template. There's not even any need to fire it up in a kiln anymore! Techniques such as stenciling and stamping make transferring patterns especially easy, even for the first-time painter, and products like crackle varnish will give an instant antique patina to lamps, vases, and plant pots. So, get out the brush and start embellishing a farmyard spongeware jug, a floating feathers lamp base, juggling clown mugs, beachcomber's boxes, delft tiles, and 21 more projects. Every day, when you set the table or look around your home, they'll bring you pleasure.